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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

College of Architecture and Environmental Design

San Luis Obispo, CA

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Overview

Introduction | California Polytechnic State University: College of Architecture and Environmental Design

The College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) is one of the highest ranked architectural and environmental design colleges in the country. CAED emphasizes interdisciplinary skills, community and global thinking, and innovation at the leading edge of sustainable, compelling surroundings and planning. The College of Architecture and Environmental Design includes a continuum of all the professions that collaborate in helping society and clients imagine, plan, design, build and operate their regions and buildings.

Key Facts and Overview | California Polytechnic State University: College of Architecture and Environmental Design

The 2019 edition of “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools” ranked Cal Poly the 3rd most admired architecture program in the nation.  

California is a hot-spot for emerging technologies and innovative industries which provides students a competitive edge at CAED. Students will gain first-hand experience through seminars, lectures, field trips, and specialized laboratories guided by dedicated faculty with years of research experience. Students take part in projects and can explore other areas of the world such as Montana, Tanzania, and Honduras. 

With strong corporate connections built through an enduring tradition of alumni programs, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design delivers an applied curriculum that prepares students to be career-ready upon graduating. Cal Poly Career Connections is an online network and mentoring platform that connects students, alumni, and the professional community.

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) fosters scholarship, service, and teaching in a Learn by Doing environment. The application of theory to practice, active-learning methods, and field and laboratory work form the core of this academic approach. Established in 1901, Cal Poly is a public, coeducational university located in San Luis Obispo, California in the western region of the United States. According to Colleges in California, its campus is one of the most beautiful in the state. The university is situated in an area known for its mild climate, natural beauty, and outdoor recreational options.

Majors and Degrees | California Polytechnic State University: College of Architecture and Environmental Design

M.S. Architectural Engineering

The M.S. degree in architectural engineering is an applied program that prepares graduates to meet the demands for practice in structural engineering positions. The program was developed for individuals interested in strengthening their understanding of the relationships between structures, architecture and construction practices.

M.S. Architecture

The M.S. degree in architecture provides opportunities for specialization and interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare graduates for specialist and consultant positions in the fields of environmental design and within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. The program emphasizes fundamental building design and science principles, advanced information technology, and hands-on learning.

MCRP - City and Regional Planning

The Master of City and Regional Planning is an applied, comprehensive and professionally based program that prepares graduates to pursue careers in city and regional planning. It is structured to prepare graduates to function in a general context of city planning, as well as in areas of special emphasis. Three such areas of study include urban development, transportation and design and environmental planning.

Admissions | California Polytechnic State University: College of Architecture and Environmental Design 

Admission to a graduate program at Cal Poly is centralized through the Cal Poly Admission Office, in direct collaboration with coordinators in each of the graduate programs.  Applicants to Cal Poly will follow the official process as described through Cal State Apply, selecting Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, which is one of 23 campuses of the California State University system.

Cal Poly recommends that applicants investigate the program of interest, and research any curriculum questions related to the program.  Program overview information can be found in the Graduate Education Programs Catalog on the Graduate Education website.  Each program has a Faculty Graduate Coordinator who can provide answers about curriculum and professional opportunities.  A list of Graduate Coordinators by program can be found on the Cal Poly Graduate Education website. 

Cal Poly also recommends that applicants familiarize themselves with the graduate admission information outlined on the Office of Admissions website, as well as with information provided on the Graduate Education website.  In addition to these resources, applicants should consult the program for additional program-specific requirements, if any.

General Requirements to be considered for admission to Cal Poly:

    • - Have completed a four-year college course of study at an accredited institution. 
    • - Be in good standing at the previous institution attended. 
    • - Provide official transcripts from the undergraduate degree granting institution to the Cal Poly Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline. 
    • - A GPA from the bachelor degree granting institution of 3.0 of better. A GRE score demonstrating a 50th percentile or higher in each of the 3 categories may allow an application with a GPA of 2.5 or below to be considered. 
    • - Some programs require GRE scores for all applicants. Refer to the Admissions Office and program as there are some exceptions. If your program requires GRE scores, official scores must be reported to the Cal Poly Admissions Office by the deadline. 
    • - Letters of Recommendation as required by the program on interest. 
    • - All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor's degree from a post-secondary institution where English in the principal language of instruction must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 80 or better, or the International English Language Testing system (IELTS) exam with a score of 6.5 or better. 
      

International applicant admission to Cal Poly:  

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of international students. For this purpose, international students include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other non-immigrant classifications. The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of international students. The process for filing an international application can be found on the Cal Poly Admissions website.

Cost, Financial Aid, and Tuition | California Polytechnic State University: College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Cal Poly ranked 37th in the U.S. in PayScale’s 2018 “College ROI Report,” which ranked 1,878 colleges and universities. According to PayScale’s projections, Cal Poly has a 20-year net return on investment of $699,000. This ROI is the 2nd highest in the California State University system and is higher than all of the University of California schools.

The estimated tuition and fees for a full-time, resident graduate student is $11,376 for three quarters. For full-time students who are not residents of the state of California, estimated tuition and fees are $17,712 for three quarters. For full-time international students, estimated tuition and fees are $19,902 for three quarters. Additional information about living expenses, supplies and transportation can be found here.

Cal Poly provides several opportunities to reduce tuition and fees, including resident tuition waivers, non-resident tuition waivers, and State University Grants. Applicants can apply for Resident and Non-Resident Tuition Waivers here. State University Grants are need-based financial aid. Students interested in need-based financial aid should submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the California Dream Act Application if they are not eligible for federal financial aid. Students who complete one of these applications are automatically considered for need-based grant programs. Graduate Education also oversees the Graduate Equity Fellowship, which provides support students with demonstrated financial need.  Graduate Education also provides Graduate Assistant positions to support the professional development and mastery of your chosen field.

 

Degrees & Awards

Degrees Offered

Degree Concentration Sub-concentration
Master of Science (MS)
Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP)

Degrees Awarded

Degree Number Awarded
Master's Degrees 24

Earning Your Degree

Part-time study available? Yes
Evening/weekend programs available? No
Distance learning programs available? No
Terminal master's degree available? No

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirement
Master's Degrees Entrance Exam GRE
Comp Exam Required for some
Thesis Required for some

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

76
Applied
48
Accepted
29
Enrolled
63%

Applying

 70
Application Fee - Domestic
Yes
Electronic
applications accepted?
Yes
Applications processed
on a rolling basis?

Application Deadlines

Type Domestic International Priority date
Fall deadline February 1st November 30th No
Winter deadline November 1st June 30th No

Entrance Requirements

Exam Details
Master's Degree Exam GRE

International Students

Exam Details
TOEFL: Required TOEFL IBT score: 80

Tuition & Fees

Calculator icon

Financial Support

Financial award applicants must submit: FAFSA or California Dream Act Application 
Application deadlines for financial awards March 1 and June 1
Types of financial support available Tuition Waivers, Scholarship and/or Loans, Graduate Assistantships 

Student Body

55
Total Graduate Students
7%
International Breakout (representing other countries)

Race/Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino 25.45%
Black or African American 0%
White or Caucasian 54%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0%
Asian 7.27%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0%
Two or more races 3.64%
Unknown 1.82%

Gender

Male (49%)
Female (50%)

Faculty

15
Total faculty
Full-time - 11
Part-time - 4
Male (10)
Female (5)

Research

Focus of faculty research: Computer-aided design and research, earthquake-resistant building systems, renewable energy, sustainable environments
Externally sponsored research expenditures last year: 0

Location & Contact

Address 1 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA  93407
United States
ContactDr. Mark Cabrinha
Associate Dean 
Email: mcabrinh@calpoly.edu
Phone: 805-756-1311

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